Terrible Swift Sword (Centralian Civil War IC Thread; Open)

[Tytor]

HTMS Monarch, Sea of Kyne
February 4, 2022
12:15 PM, local time

Lieutenant Colonel Frank Gerry went through the preflight checklist for his Tri-Star AR-12 Thrush three times before firing up the engines.  He'd done the same with his full-body flight suit (or space suit, as those in the know tended to call it) before heading out to his aircraft.  Gerry might be a lieutenant colonel in the Royal Air Force, but today he was flying as an agent in the Royal Intelligence Service.  In fact, that was about the only excuse for an airman like him to be aboard the carrier HTMS Monarch in the first place.  Technically, his plane was an AR-12N Sea Thrush, the cold war-era spy plane's naval variant.  Being carrier-capable meant the Sea Thrush could be deployed farther afield than the larger and more modern, but land-dependent, AR-12S.  Fortunately, this mission should be just fine with the older AR-12N.  Gerry checked his instruments one more time and flipped on the radio.  "Tower," he said, "This is Mockingbird 1 requesting clearance for takeoff, over."

"Roger, Mockingbird 1," came the reply, "You are cleared for takeoff.  Good hunting, over."

"Appreciated, Tower," Gerry said, "Commencing takeoff.  Over and out."

Takeoff went rather smoothly.  As always, the steam catapult was a little rough, but that was to be expected.  Gerry quickly ascended to a cruising altitude of 70,000 feet, and struck out for Centralia.




New Eastland City, New Eastland
Federal Republic of Centralia
February 4, 2022
2:35 PM, local time

Nehemiah Godfrey, Pastor of the Lord's Resistance Army and aspiring ruler of all Centralia, gazed upon the bombed-out shell that once was Grant Tower, one of the most important buildings of New Eastland City's war-ravaged financial district.  Grant Tower had been the headquarters of Centralia's largest bank, Phineas Grant and Sons.  PGS was one of the primary bankrollers of the Centralian Federal Army, and now... now the bulk of its reserves had been captured by the LRA.  Godfrey smiled grimly.  With PGS's former wealth now in his hands, he could start looking abroad for aid - purchase propaganda broadcasts, reach out to sympathetic governments, and buy better weapons off the global black market.  And with New Eastland in his hands, he had a port from which to receive any such goods.  In fact, the best part of the fall of New Eastland had to be the capture of the cruiser FNS Catawba and the destroyer FNS Roundrock.  Sure, they were both pretty old, and the Federal Navy still had more ships, but it was a start.

Godfrey remained transfixed by the smoldering ruin for a little longer, then turned to a lieutenant standing just behind him.  "All right, Todd," he said, "It's time."  And indeed it was.  Time to finish the redemption of this people.  Time to establish legitimacy in the eyes of the world.  Time to open the next phase of his crusade against the godless bureaucrats of New Providence.  And time to film a declaration to the world, announcing the establishment of the Federal Republic's successor as the lawful government of all Centralia.

A distant motion caught his attention, and he looked up into the sky.  There, far, far above the great city, was a solitary black airplane.  Perhaps a lost airliner?  Or, less benignly... perhaps even a government reconnaissance flight?  No matter.  The LRA's positions in the city were dug in and well hidden.  No, the LRA was not going to be pushed out of New Eastland easily, if at all, regardless of how many aerial pictures that blasted government in New Providence took.  Godfrey smiled again.  Now, on to the film studio.

All was well.




Philipsburgh, Mazeltovia
Federal Republic of Centralia
February 4, 2022
6:30 PM, local time

The Insurgent-in-Chief.  That's what everyone had called him for ages.  It had been his codename for as long as the Communist Party had been forced underground.  It wasn't his real name, of course; just imagine having to walk around your local high school with a name like "Insurgent".  No, his real name was John Browder.  When he wasn't skulking around between underground meetings (or, for that matter, leading a revolution against the current government of Centralia), he was Mr. Browder, a grocer who ran a small shop in central Philipsburgh.  He'd been a Mazeltovia resident most of his life, except for a brief internship in New Providence when he was in college.  Browder was rather older these days, and he'd been fighting the good fight for decades.

The sunset wasn't visible from where Browder was standing, but the clouds overhead were varying shades of pink and orange.  He pondered the symbolic significance of it all.  The sun was setting on the Federal Republic, and soon a glorious red dawn would rise over all of Centralia.  Surely it would.  And Comrade Browder would be there to lead the way into the future.

His People's Liberation Army controlled parts of several southern states, and all of Mazeltovia.  Perhaps tonight, Browder would record an address declaring the establishment of the Federal Republic's legal replacement.  And then... who knew what the future would bring?




OOC: This thread is intended to consolidate related storylines associated with Centralia's civil war.  Anybody is welcome to get involved; I ask, though, that anyone who does remembers that not everything we as roleplayers know is known by the general public, or even by the different actors in this conflict.  If there's any confusion regarding what is or is not public knowledge, please feel free to DM me here on the forum or ping me on the TIO Discord server.  If there is sufficient call for it, I will set up an OOC thread.

[Geo]

To:- Nehemiah Godfrey, LRA
From:- His Majesties Secret Service; Niš, Kingdom Of

Greetings and Glory to God!

The HMSS has been monitoring the escalating conflict within Centralia and with looming threat upon the horizon, we wish to offer you, our fellow servants of the Lord, assistance in your conflict.
Whilst our nation's religion of Northern Orthodoxy and your organisation's religion may disagree on some aspects of faith, we are both children of the Lord. Regardless of your denomination, the Holy War against those that oppose God's will on Earth, such as your Federal Republic foe, is a war that must be joined by all good Christians.

To that end, we are willing to offer you the following:

-Funds
-Weapons and Ammunition
-Heavy Armaments
-Military Advisers
-Medical Supplies

Specific numbers will be finalised once we have news of your interest in this agreement.

Once the conflict is over, in return for our assistance, we request that all men, women and children that follow the Orthodox faith are allowed to practise freely. We do not doubt that you will pursue this policy, however assurances and promises are always preferred. We also request that you will pursue close relations with us once tensions within your nation are normal.

May the Lord guide our Black Hands, may He grant us peace and deliver us.
Petar Blagojević

[Achkaerin]

Marble Palace, Valtheim

If there was one thing Peter didn't like it was these kinds of meetings, another meeting with members of the government, intelligence agencies and the military, he'd read the threat assessment provided to him and all in all it was fairly clear that if it came to an intervention, the likes of which members of Tytor's commons were calling for, that Centralia's military lacked the ability to stand against an invading force, Peter was actually convinced that given the state of Centralia's military even Heyra, being one of the smallest and yet up to date military's on Mundus could probably take Centralia's in a fight, so if or more likely when it came to fighting it would be the terrorist entities that presented the challenge. But it wasn't there that the overriding concern lay at this point, the present issue remained justifying an intervention.

"It's simple enough." Nettie Taylor, Peter's foreign affairs advisor said "There are only really two ways this leads to an intervention, first Centralia's government says yes - this isn't likely to happen..."
"Bush has indicated a desire for an intervention." Richard Chambers said "But Bush isn't Tanner."
"However thanks to Bush we know the areas the communists and LRA are in." Nettie said
"So second way?" Peter asked
"Something happens that causes enough outrage to force it." Michael Williams said "For example Cult of Helus genocide, no one could pull the trigger until we knew what was happening."
"It would be flippant to ask if Tim Carpenter's in Centralia wouldn't it?" Peter said taking a breath "Rion?"
"I have people on the ground getting the lay of the land and Achkaerinese Intelligence are looking over that website investigation from a while back." Rion Ayanami said "If we find a smoking gun you're the first to know."
"Good." Peter said "Adam?"
"Yes Your Majesty." Adam Sheppard, the Minister of Defence, said "We've been able to rotate the balance at Katenka slightly, we're still staging our search operation for the Morelander out of there but with the Intrepid now on station down there, Katenka's basically become where our tankers and Dragonbane's are calling home for the duration, fortunately if it comes to it Dragonbane's would be useful in dealing with Centralia so we've shifted some Raptorwings down there and a handful of Night Fury's, so we've got what we need to go at Centralia if we have to."
"Ok move assets into the ballpark." Peter said "You know the drill, long way round, keep distance and only close if we find that smoking gun."
"Understood." Adam said

Ashboro, Centralia

A lone motorbike roared through the Centralian countryside and into the city, the place certainly looked like it belonged in a war zone still it wasn't as bad as what she'd seen in Merina or at least that was what it looked like to Hazel Nairn as she eventually parked up and secured her bike, running a hand through her hair she looked around taking in her surroundings - the cafe's were open, the ice cream stand was doing a roaring trade and the church bells were ringing, if she didn't know better she'd have believed it was a country at piece, still at least the bells told her where the church was, Hazel made her way to the building, it being a weekday she expected to find it empty or near empty as she entered she played Bush's letter over and over in her head The pastor's a local, a lot of his staff and material come from a smaller church in St Elmo's city, Tytor well the implication of that was clear - Rapture as they'd been called then, after all there'd been suggestions of their leadership fleeing Tytor. Hazel's job was to find out what she could about this, taking to perusing one of the church's many stain glass windows she started training her ears on what she could hear around her.

New Providence, Centralia

Perhaps the most concerning thing about this crisis was the apparent silence of the Centralian Government, normally a civil war would have people shouting it from the rooftops but not here, in fact such was the concern that Rion had in truth put the Government right at the top of the intel list in red pen. So here in the heart of the capital, and suitably dressed for it were Joe Ochre and Anthony Vilani, the pair walked through what appeared to be a busy, almost normal square. It was a rather disconcerting experience in that it didn't really add up to what they were expecting.
"If you didn't know better." Joe said quietly as they walked "Would you say there was a war on?"
"Looking at this no." Anthony said, moments later they stepped into the home of Congress, Joe managed to procure the day's order paper
"And it gets weirder" Joe said, upon examination of the order paper "All routine. Nothing we'd expect it's eerie."
"What is this? The Truman Show?" Anthony said
"Sure feels like it." Joe said
"Keep your eyes open and your head on a swivel." Joe said "Let's see what's going on."

Mazeltovia, Centralia

The job of sniffing out information on the Communists had been handed to Misty Kennedy, probably the best sniper in the Achkaerinese military and as such she was approaching her assignment like a sniper, the rooftops were her domain, the place from which she could observe all before her, from where she could pick up unusual behaviour and from where she could hunt if she had to. Right now as day turned to night she stood against a roof mounted vent the wind blowing through her raven black hair and billowing her jacket, in her hand she had her sniper rifle sight she was using it to observe the goings on around her, this place at least certainly looked like it belonged in a war zone, there were a few indications of civil unrest and plenty of signs of neglect. She glanced up at the sky, the storm clouds were gathering the questions were obvious when would it break? And where would lightning strike first?

[paralipomena]

Message to the Centralian federal government | Private communication

After returning from Ktsatskuri, I'm able to communicate your government that, considering the present circumstances your nation is facing, the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo would be honoured to offer humanitarian aid and other supplies.

I'm available for an immediate meeting to discuss this offer and other potential agreements between our governments.

Yours sincerely,
Gocha Arsenidze
Ambassador of the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo in the Federal Republic of Centralia

[Tytor]

HTMS Monarch

Lt. Col. Gerry stood at ease as the RIS analysts went over his high-altitude photos one more time.  Also in the room was Admiral Richardson, overall commander of the Kyne Fleet; he'd flown to the carrier via helicopter a few hours ago.

"Well, gentlemen?" the admiral prompted the analysts after a moment.

"Sir," one analyst (Gerry believed the man's name was Todd something) replied, "From what we can see, it looks like we've a large massing of LRA fighters in and around New Eastland City, which is more less what we'd expected.  What we did not expect was the fact that the CFA appears to have pulled back to defensive positions south of the city rather than launching any sort of counterattack against the rebels."

"It is entirely possible that we're looking at the total collapse of the Federal Republic in a matter of weeks," the other analyst (something Williams, Gerry believed) cut in, "The really strange thing, though, is that the photos of New Providence don't appear to have any of what we would consider the hallmarks of invasion panic or evacuation, and that just corroborates what we've been hearing from our guys on the ground."

"You'd expect the place to be swarming with civilians trying to get out," Todd said, "But there doesn't appear to be any of that.  It's almost like the people of the capital don't believe the war is really coming their way."

"Of course, sir," Williams concluded, "The more information we can get the better.  Keep flying observation missions, and soon enough we'll know enough to properly plan the intervention Parliament is demanding.  And that will get them off all of our tails."

"Very well," Admiral Richardson said, nodding, "Thank you both, gentlemen.  That will be all for now.  Colonel Gerry, you heard the men.  Go get some rest; you'll be heading out again first thing tomorrow."

"Yes, sir," Gerry said, snapping to a salute, and with that, the meeting concluded.




Ashboro

The few people on the streets of Godfrey's temporary seat of government paid little notice to either the motorbike or its rider.  Many assumed she was another one of those "resistance fighters" who had taken over here, as well as in neighboring states.  As she approached the church, however, someone finally took real notice of her.

"Excuse me, ma'am," a custodian said to her, "I don't believe we've met.  I'm Daniel, the head custodian, and I find it helpful to get to know all of the pastor's friends when they pass through.  How long have you been with the Lord's Resistance Army?"




New Providence

Matt was confused with it all.  He and Parker had finally tracked down Korso and his "Sons of Liberty", but now there was a war on.  But it wasn't just any war, either - this war promised to define the course of Centralian history for the next few decades.  The really weird thing was how little the government was talking about it, and it seemed like they were leaning on the press to keep it that way.  The SOL had assigned the pair to observe comings and goings at the Capitol a few days ago, and since then, Matt had become rather familiar with all the staffers who frequented the front steps.

Suddenly, Matt noticed something odd, and he grabbed Parker's arm.  "Hey, look over there," he said, pointing at a pair of staffers who were heading into the building, "Those two, they don't look familiar to you, do they?"

"Huh, you may be on to something, Grasshopper," Parker said, pushing his fake glasses farther up on the bridge of his nose, "They look a bit out of place, almost like spooks... but why would the OSS be spying on Congress?  Let's shadow them when they come back out; chances are they'll come back the way they came."




Philipsburgh

As dusk fell, nobody really noticed the sniper up on the roof.  The first to really notice was a hapless security guard checking the rooftop before locking up.

"Um, excuse me, ma'am," he called out to the woman's back, "I need to get this door locked, so I'll have to ask you to..."  He trailed off, noticing the sniper rifle.  "Oh, excuse me, I didn't realize," he said quickly, "I mean, if you're on official PLA business, don't let me stop you.  I'm just the guy in charge on security here.  Didn't mean nothin', I swear."




Reply to the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo

Ambassador Arsenidze,

It would be my pleasure to accept your nation's offer of aid during this conflict.  I invite you to meet me at my office for formal discussions, perhaps over a light lunch.

Sincerely,
-R. Edward Young
Secretary of State

[Beatrice]

A Private Message To The Centralian Government

Civil conflict imparts a scar upon all nations that is difficult to overcome, first as a wound which takes so long to close and a reminder for generations to follow. Rokkenjima itself has experienced such pain and addressed such challenges and it pains me to see another nation going through such a situation. I know that difficult decisions are being made on a daily basis and that those who are feeling the effects of this conflict are the common Centralian.

In these interests I would wish to offer the deployment of a Rokkenjiman hospital ship, IRV Guardian, to assist in providing medical care to the People of Centralia. She shall be escorted, the details of which I shall provide upon the acceptance of this offer, and teams of Rokkenjiman doctors shall be made available for deployment deeper into Centralia should that be deemed necessary by your Government.

Please let me know at your earliest convenience. I hope that we may be able to help in this capacity.

I look forward to your reply.

Respectfully yours;


Empress of Rokkenjima
Princess of Arovium

[Markus]

To: Nehemiah Godfrey, LRA
From:  Office for the Protection of the Church and its State(OPCS)- Holy Kingdom of Samantra

The struggles you are facing in your quest to build a kingdom for the glory of God on Mundus have not gone unnoticed. You are facing many threats and enemies and yet you have managed to achieve a lot so far. It is our opinion that some of your enemies are also adversaries of Samantra and it would be in our mutual best interest if we cooperate where possible.

We are prepared to offer you the following:

-   Financial support
-   Satellite surveillance
-   Training for troops
-   Medical supplies

As you perhaps have suspected, we want to keep our support a secret for now and while we are willing listen to any other request you might have please note that our mandate does not allow us to provide any support which will make our collaboration public.

We eagerly await a public declaration from your government regarding your intent for the new Centralia and we remain open for talks.

AFIN (A Friend in Need)

[Tytor]

Reply to the First Empire of Rokkenjima

Empress Evanthe,

It would be this government's pleasure to host IRV Guardian.  This war has been hard on many people, especially Centralian civilians, and humanitarian assistance would be appreciated.  It is the opinion of those with the responsibility for these matters that it would be best to direct Guardian to the port of Providence, just south of the capital.  Due to its status as the largest civilian port currently under government control, and its central location, we feel that this destination will be of the greatest value to those who would benefit from a hospital ship's presence.  It must be said that Centralia's territorial waters have become somewhat dangerous in recent weeks, so an escort from the Centralian Federal Navy will be provided once your vessels cross into this country's exclusive economic zone.

We thank you again for your kindness; Rokkenjima has become a valued partner in naval matters, and we hope to work together more in future.

Regards,
-Lance Pullman
Secretary of Homeland Security




Reply to the Holy Kingdom of Samantra
PRIVATE

Dear sir or madam,

I am hugely gratified by your offer of support in the midst of this war for the soul of Centralia.  I shall, of course, be certain to keep your secret, for as long as it is the will of God that I do so.  Attached to this message is the coordinates of a potential rendezvous, not far from the northern border of Centralia; I will be happy to receive your support here, if you are agreeable.  I hope that we shall, in the end, find ourselves collectively in harmony with the will of God in future.

May God prosper you,
-Godfrey

[Tytor]

Declaration to the World

Ashboro - March 18, 2022, 3:44 PM CST (Centralian Standard Time)

To the People of Centralia, and the International Community at large, greetings.  The past year has been one of brutal conflict and fog of war.  There has been much confusion about the goals and methods of the Lord's Resistance Army as it has waged its crusade for the liberation of Centralia.  This must end now.

It is for this purpose that I declare the establishment of the PROVIDENTIAL REPUBLIC OF CENTRALIA as the true heir to the Christian ideals of this nation's founders.  The hypocrisy of the Federal Government lies exposed, and the self-serving atheists and heretics in the blasphemously-named city of "New Providence" shall fall, like all tyrants who deny the Everlasting Word of God.

We claim New Providence, henceforth to be renamed ZION, as the center of our government and faith, and call upon good Christians everywhere to come to Centralia and take up arms in this most Holy of struggles.  May the Godless meet their end at the hands of the Servants of God in the modern era.  May the Lord's Resistance Army triumph over all of His foes.

-Nehemiah Godfrey, President and Protector of the Providential Republic of Centralia

[Tytor]

Announcement on Behalf of the Workers of Centralia

Philipsburgh - March 18, 2022, 6:16 PM CST (Centralian Standard Time)

Partially in response to the recent "Declaration to the World" made by the Evangelical fanatics in the north of Centralia, and partially because of the People's Liberation Army's recent successes against the oppressive federal government in the south, it has become necessary to put forth an announcement of our own.  For too long, the good people of Centralia have suffered under one oppressively neglectful capitalist government after another, but at least neglect has been almost their only sin.  If the fundamentalists and their "Providential Republic" are allowed to conquer Centralia, life will become infinitely worse for all Centralians.

Thus, is my responsibility to proclaim the establishment of the People's Democracy of Centralia.  We too claim New Providence as our capital, and we shall fight to the end in defense of the rights of the proletariat in this country, and around the world.  We call upon advocates of progress, equality, and freedom everywhere to support us however you can, for we fight for the working man.

Workers of the World, Unite!

-John Browder, Chairman of the People's Democracy of Centralia

[Beatrice]

A Private Message To The Centralian Government

I have relayed orders to the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy to deploy IRV Guardian to the port of Providence and expect her arrival in the coming days. With the establishment of the "Providential Republic" and "People's Democracy" she will be escorted by two Mizuchi Class Destroyers which should dissuade any attempted attacks upon her and those in her vicinity. In addition to their standard compliment of weapons they field Valiant Horizon, which is a version of Valiant Shield deployed upon Rokkenjiman naval vessels. With your permission I would be open to the possibility of ordering our escorts to extend their defensive capabilities over civilian areas for the duration of their stay in Providence. We may not be a force in this conflict, however, I could not leave my forces without an option to prevent civilian casualties if they were in a position to prevent them.

Respectfully yours;


Empress of Rokkenjima
Princess of Arovium

[paralipomena]

New Providence, Federal Republic of Centralia

Ambassador Gocha Arsenidze came to the meeting with Secretary R. Edward Young with reasonable caution. Although the official reason of the meeting was to discuss the logistics of the sending of humanitarian aid to Centralia from Mktvartvelo, he hoped to obtain a clearer view of the situation of the conflict and, more importantly, a clearer view of how the federal government understood and reacted on the challenge they were facing. First of all, he wondered how sincere and open Secretary Young would be about the nature and the situation of the conflict.

If the attitude was positive enough, Arsenidze was given green light to offer an increase of trade on basic, processed, and industrial goods to Centralia, likely expanded if there was an interest by Centralian authorities to munitions, artillery, and other basic weaponry, and finally, if there was ground for further understanding and assurances and satisfying conditions on early payments, some of the most recent developments of Mktvartvelian defense industry, such as guided bombs, anti-radar systems, and aerial vehicles. After all, Centralia offered a fertile ground for experimental purposes, and Arsenidze was instructed to take that chance before that window may close.



 

[Achkaerin]

Ashboro

Hazel turned and listened to Daniel, in truth she hadn't expected such a golden opportunity so quickly but that didn't mean she was going to pass it up. "Just under three years." Hazel said in answer to the question, repeating the carefully constructed legend she'd prepared in coordination with Achkaerin's Cross-Straits partners "I worked for Legion" she continued lowering her voice "After that near miss in Vigil he sent me abroad on a very hush hush job said to come here if I couldn't get in contact with him after it was done. I'm just looking for sanctuary for a few days but if the Pastor believes I have something to offer well maybe it's God's will that I'm here right now."

Philipsburgh

For an instant Misty had almost reached for her pistol, the last thing she'd wanted was to be spotted after all it complicated matters but if the guard thought she was on PLA business then that presented an opportunity for her to keep her head down and perhaps make her job a little bit easier. "No harm done." Misty said "Can't be too careful, don't let me stop you locking up, wouldn't want you to get in any trouble."

New Providence

Joe and Anthony had spent the day in the halls of Congress gathering what information they could and they'd come up mostly empty, if the lack of the war on the order paper was an indication the vibe in the halls was confirmation there appeared to be a lack of awareness of the war, almost a refusal to acknowledge that a war was even going on. Having sent an initial assessment home, the pair left the building heading back towards the safe house they'd got. They'd been walking a good fifteen minutes before...

"Joe." Anthony whispered his counter surveillance training kicking in as they walked.
"I know we're being followed." Joe said he took out his phone and dialed a number "Hi sweetie... yeah I'm on my way home... you ok if I invite company for dinner?" he waited a moment before hanging up. At the next opportunity Anthony peeled off to take a different route back while Joe kept going straight on.

Marble Palace, Valtheim

It had been a long day for the Round Table Conference, made even longer by the broadcasts from the LRA and the PLA, but now as Peter relaxed in the living area by playing a game of chess with his sister Esme the situation got that little bit worse as Rion, Michael and Adam joined them.
"What's happened?" Peter said as he castled his king
"Got an initial assessment from our field operatives." Rion said
"And?" Peter asked
"And there's no war in Ba-Sing-Sae." Rion said, Peter raised an eyebrow and Esme giggled
"It's a..." Esme said
"I understood the reference." Peter said "I did watch the show with Simon and Serenity when they were kids." he glanced at Rion "So you're telling me that as far as the majority of the Centralian public are aware there isn't a war going on?"
"That's what my agents say and I agree up to the point where the LRA and PLA went public." Rion said "No attempt to evacuate civilians, no political debate on the war, no panic, it's all very eerie. And I don't like eerie."
"What's your read?" Esme asked "If Centralia's Ba-Sing-Sae who are the Dai Li and who is Long Feng?"
"I don't know yet but information control on this level requires the apparatus of the state." Rion said "So Cabinet level minimum. What bothers me is that if the Government looks like falling, there's potential for something very horrific."

"Michael say you're Tanner what's your move?" Peter said
"I push back against the statements by the PLA and the LRA." Michael said "If I don't then I'm a President who's appearing weak, I'm by omission giving the terrorist claims legitimacy and appear to be caving."
"It would also give the impression that Centralia's incapable of handling things, that they're in effect a terrorist playground and that would open the door to an intervention."  Adam said
"Ok." Peter said "Update the CSTO on what we have and when we're in the next meeting I want options. Until then the ball's in Tanner's court."

[Beatrice]

Statement On The Kraken Incident

In an ideal world there would be no conflict, especially that of a civil nature. Even in a world as far from ideal as ours it has long been recognized that attacks upon forces operating in a humanitarian nature are never apposite yet we saw just two days ago an attack unleashed upon Rokkenjiman forces who have been aiding the people of Centralia. I cannot fathom what possible goal the PLA could have envisioned in threatening our operations, placing the lives of not only service-members of the IRAF at risk but also innocent lives through the utilization of such crude and unwieldy weapons. While IRN Kraken suffered superficial damage due to shrapnel my concern has been with those harmed in the attack and the brave sailor we lost due to injuries sustained. I hope to never have such a conversation as that with a family again.

Our response to this attack was two-fold: to eliminate the immediate threat and to ensure that the party responsible is not again capable of conducting another attack against our forces through the elimination of your command centre. As it has now been established the consequences for striking out at Rokkenjiman forces conducting humanitarian operations I am confident that the threat to our forces has been minimized, and the potential for future attacks of this manner have been reduced allow me to deliver this message to all factions in this civil conflict: Do not attack our forces, and do not place the people of Centralia in harm's way, or you will face our just, swift and most certain wrath upon you.

That we located where you fired upon our forces so quickly should be a matter of concern for you, that we were able to address the immediate threat and hit at your stronghold in a show of force as we did should dissuade you from ever striking out in anger against us. Rokkenjima has pledged itself as a friend to the People of Centralia; it is only to the People of Centralia that we hold an allegiance to in this conflict. Any faction that acts against their interests or harms them in any manner will be our enemy, and if there should be a force that speaks for a free and democratic Centralia, I will endeavour to see that the Imperial Government sees that you are capable of saving the nation from this present situation. It is clear that neither the PLA or the LRA have your interests at heart, so as they fight amongst themselves I pledge my voice to your cause because, for once, the voices of the People of Centralia should have prominence.

Rokkenjima stands with the People of Centralia, and we will continue to do so through this period of unrest and instability until, one day, Centralia once again stands as a peaceful and stable nation at peace with itself.

In friendship to the People of Centralia, now and always;


Empress of the First Empire of Rokkenjima
Princess of Littlebrook